Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Emissions in 2006

The VOC map depicts the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions sources in Canada for 2006 (with no open sources). The emissions are expressed in kilograms per square kilometre (kg/km²) using 6 emissions ranges and grid cells of 100km by 100km in size. The ranges are less than 5 kg/km², 5 - 10 kg/km², 10 - 100 kg/km², 100 - 500 kg/km², 500 - 1 000 kg/km² and more than 1 000 k g/km².

Generally, the map of Canada shows emissions levels are within the first range of less than 5 kg/km² in the northern part of the country. However, there are some areas where emissions are increased to 5 - 10 kg/km² and 10 - 100 kg/km², as well as 100 - 500 kg/km² in Yellowknife and Whitehorse.

British Columbia has a variety of all cell ranges. Northern BC is has relatively low emission ranges, from less than 5 kg/km², 5 - 10 kg/km² and 10 - 100 kg/km². In southern BC, the emissions are higher, especially around Vancouver, where it is greater than 1 000 kg/km². The value off the coast of BC is less than 5 kg/km².

Alberta and Saskatchewan show a patchwork of grid cells with emissions levels from all ranges. Most areas throughout these provinces are 10 - 100 kg/km² and 100 - 500 kg/km², with several more than 1 000 kg/km² around Edmonton, Cal gary and Regina. Manitoba has relatively small emissions, with mostly less than 5 kg/km² in the northern part. Furthermore, there are 10 - 100 kg/km², 100 - 500 kg/km² and more than 1 000 kg/km² in the Winnipeg area.

The Atlantic coast has a varied display of ranges. The highest emissions are seen in Halifax, Moncton and off the coast of St. John’s, with emissions of more than 1000 kg/km². The rest of the Atlantic Provinces range from 10 - 100 kg/km² and 100 - 500 kg/km² to 500 – 1 000 kg/km². Furthermore, off-shore emissions are generally less than 5 kg/km², with the exception of an area off of St. John/s, which has emission greater than 1 000 kg/km ².

The map shows an elevated band of emissions in the southern part of the eastern provinces. This band extends from Windsor to Québec City with emissions of more than 1 000 kg/km², except for a small region between Toronto and Ottawa. Northern Ontario Québec have emissions of mostly less than 5 kg/km², with the exception of a few areas increased to 5 - 10 kg/km² or 10 - 100 kg/km².

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